Electricity Conservation Research Articles

Understanding employee’s electricity conservation behavior in workplace: Do normative, emotional and habitual factors matter?

Employee’s electricity conservation behavior in workplace is beneficial to reduce electricity consumption and carbon emissions. This research aims to analyze how normative (e.g., personal norm, subjective norm and descriptive norm), emotional (e.g., positive and negative anticipated emotion) and habitual factors (e.g., electricity conservation habit) affect employee’s electricity conservation behavior in workplace. The research data were collected from 309 employees in four Chinese cities using a questionnaire survey. The results indicated that employee’s personal norm, subjective norm, descriptive norm, negative and positive anticipated emotions and electricity conservation habit are all positively and significantly affect employee’s intention to conserve electricity in workplace. Moreover, personal norm has the largest effect. The results also suggested that demographic variables (e.g., gender, age, educational level and income level) have no significant effects on employee’s intention to conserve electricity. The current research highlighted the importance of normative, emotional and habitual factors and contributed to the research on employee’s electricity conservation behavior in workplace. Based on the research findings, the relevant policy implications were proposed and recommendations for following research were discussed.

Contest-Based and Norm-Based Interventions: (How) Do They Differ in Attitudes, Norms, and Behaviors?

Setting up a contest is a popular means to promote pro-environmental behaviors. Yet, research on contest-based interventions is scarce while norm-based interventions have gained much attention. In two field experiments, we randomly assigned 79 apartments to either a contest-based or a norm-based electricity conservation intervention and measured kWh usage for 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. Results from both studies showed that contest-based interventions promote intensive but short-lived electricity saving. In Study 1 apartments assigned to a norm-based intervention showed more stable electricity saving (low intensity and long-lasting). Study 2 did not replicate this finding, but supported that participants in the norm-based intervention also engaged in non-targeted behaviors. These results emphasize the importance of identifying how different intervention techniques may activate different goals, framing both how people think about and act upon targeted pro-environmental behaviors.

On the associations between delay discounting and temporal thinking

Shallow discounting of delayed rewards is consequential for future-orientated behavior such as healthy eating and pro-environmental behaviors, and research has indicated a negative association between delay discounting and future thinking. Across two studies, we examined the extent to which delay discounting reliably correlates with considerations of future consequences (CFC) of behavior, whether the correlation pattern is negative for CFC-Future while positive for CFC-Immediate, and whether delay discounting and temporal thinking differ in their associations with retrospective self-reports of electricity conservation behavior. We measured delay discounting with a single-trial monetary choice task (Study 1) and a titrating amount money discounting task that characterized each individual's entire discounting curve (Study 2). Delay discounting correlated negatively with CFC-Future in Study 1, and positively with CFC-Immediate in both studies. An experiential discounting task using videos also employed in Study 2 showed that when participants experienced outcomes of their choices, discounting rates correlated reliably negatively with CFC-Total but not the specific CFC dimensions. Self-reported electricity conservation behavior correlated more reliably with temporal thinking than delay discounting in both studies.

Analysis of Potential Alternative Energy Sources for Electricity Conservation in Yogyakarta State Finance Building

State Finance Building of Yogyakarta is a community service that is included in the types of buildings that consume electric energy that is large, so that often led to the power outage unexpectedly due to excessive use of electricity. This excessive use of electricity has also contributed to bill accounts for electricity from PLN which each month up to hundreds of millions of dollars. To that end, this research was undertaken that aim to be able to device that most optimal configuration in the use of solar panels and could compare the PLTS system between On-Grid and PLN in the aspect of cost and CO2 emissions.In knowing the potential of alternative energy sources, namely solar power connected to the PLN as the optimal power plant is carried out by means of conducting research in the form of knowing the intensity of the solar radiation data, data in the form of electric power load is active for 24 hours, and data rates time of outside peak load and time of peak load from PLN for State Finance Building Of Yogyakarta. Later, she did the simulation using software to help homer modeling from use of the most optimal solar panel. In the research results obtained that the potential PLTS system that are connected with the grid PLN unfit to be carried out because the cost of the initial investment to expenses during the period of operation of the system including the high value of the NPC of $970,742. However, the potential of the power plant that are appropriate for the conditions on site research solar power plant was connected to the grid PLN power plant configuration that is optimized for without using batteries, use only PV with a capacity of 91,35 kW, the converter with a capacity of 400 kW, and power grid network of PLN the system transmitted to PLTS On-Grid of 552 kW.

Research on China Airport Performance Evaluation of Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction Based on Data Envelopment Analysis Model

With study on 15 China airports (groups) that were funded by the special funds for energy conservation and emission reduction in civil aviation, using the SE-DEA model as research tool, the energy conservation and emission reduction efficiency of the sampled enterprises were analyzed. More than half of the airport units did not achieve DEA efficiency, mainly resulted from the simultaneous technical inefficiency and scale inefficiency. All units that failed to meet the standard should increase the quantity of electricity conservation. In the future, the scale of project output should be expanded in resource allocation in the development of China green airports, strengthening research and application of new technology and new method. This study is of certain guiding significance for the scientific allocation of financial resources and the construction of green civil aviation.

Investigating the causal relationship between electricity consumption and sectoral outputs: evidence from Egypt

The aim of this study is to investigate the causal relationship between electricity consumption and real output at the macro level and the sectoral levels in three main economic sectors, namely the agricultural, industrial, and services sectors in Egypt during the period 1971–2013. I use Johansen cointegration approach, vector error correction model, and Toda and Yamamoto (J Econom 66:225–250, 1995) approach. Empirical findings reveal the existence of a cointegration relationship between the variables at the macro level and the sectoral levels. At the macro level, there is bidirectional causality between real output and electricity consumption. Whereas at the sectoral levels, there exists bidirectional causality between electricity consumption and real output in the services sector and unidirectional causality running from real output in the industrial sector to electricity consumption. However, there is no causal relationship between electricity consumption and real output in the agricultural sector. These results can help policymakers in setting the appropriate electricity conservation policies that enhance economic growth at the macro level and the sectoral levels to prevent any possible adverse effect that may harm economic and social development. Additionally, ensuring a higher level of electricity generation needed for achieving high and sustainable economic growth is vital, where higher electricity generation can be provided through investing in clean technologies and renewable energy resources, such as wind and solar energy.

Modeling the multiple benefits of electricity savings for emissions reduction on power grid level: A case study of China’s chemical industry

Industry is a large electricity user. China’s chemical industry (globally the largest based on sales) contributes 7% to China’s GDP, while it consumes 11% of the total electricity consumption in industry and is responsible for 40% of total CO2eq, 40% of SO2, 59% of NOx and 18% of PM-emissions of the chemical industry emissions. The heterogeneity of GHG and air pollutant emissions across electricity grids (within a country) is rarely included in analyses. In this paper, electricity conservation supply curves are developed (distinguishing the grids) to estimate the cost-effective and technical potentials of electricity conservation in China’s chemical industry. The emission factors per grid for GHG (i.e. CO2, CH4 and N2O) and air pollutants (i.e. SO2, NOx and PM2.5) are calculated and used to quantify the emissions mitigation achieved by electricity saving technologies in the chemical industry for the period 2012–2035. Results show that significant multiple benefits can be obtained by implementing electricity efficiency measures. There are large differences among the six grids in terms electricity savings and emissions abatement of GHG and air pollutants. 83% of the total electricity saving potential is contributed by the North, Northwest and Central grids, equal to 32% of baseline electricity consumption in 2035. In 2035, 129 Mt of CO2, 33 kt CO2eq of CH4, 571 kt CO2eq of N2O, 235 kt of SO2, 275 kt of NOx and 52 kt of PM2.5 in these three grids can be avoided as a result of electricity savings (a reduction of 31–33% compared to baseline emissions). When decision-makers set targets for energy saving and emission reduction, the multiple benefits and grid heterogeneity should not be ignored.

BUILDING ECOLOGICAL INTELLIGENCE THROUGH INDONESIAN LANGUAGE LEARNING BASED ON KETHEK OGLENG DANCE

Kethek Ogleng is a unique factor that shapes the aesthetics of language learning. Unfortunately, the relation between Kethek Ogleng and language learning draws only a little attention. To reveal the phenomenon, the present qualitative descriptive study was performed by investigating Indonesian language learning based on Kethek Ogleng dance. The study was conducted in SMPN (State Junior High School) 3 Nawangan, to the second semester ninth grade students of the 2017/2018 academic year. The research findings reveal that the approach can build the level of ecological intelligence of the students. Based on the responses to the questionnaire distributed, the average level of ecological intelligence and environmental skills of the students shows signs of progress. The data indicate that the mean score was 3.2 and the percentage of ecological intelligence was 65%, indicating the attainment of knowledge and skills of school and home environment preservation. The indicators of the success of this approach can be seen in the changes of attitude and behavior of students in environmental management, covering clean and healthy classrooms and toilets, the use of recyclable materials, water and electricity conservation in the classroom, protection of trees and plants around the classrooms, proper treatment of trash, and organic and inorganic waste utilization.

Surcharges Versus Rebates: Evaluating a Municipal Electricity Conservation Program

Using monthly account level data for over 27,000 households between 2007 and 2014, this study evaluates a revenue-neutral municipal electricity conservation program. Rebates for the purchase of energy efficient appliances were financed via a small surcharge on high consuming households. The results demonstrate that the program mainly transferred money between residents with almost no effect on electricity consumption. Using variation in the timing of the rebate checks, none of the energy efficiency incentives yielded a statistically or economically meaningful reduction in electricity consumption compared with a counterfactual where no rebate was offered. Using a bunching estimator and exploiting changes in behavior around the high consumption threshold, a small reduction in electricity consumption is attributable to the surcharge, suggesting that prices are better than subsidies at reducing electricity consumption. Overall, the change in behavior attributable to the electricity conservation program is small, supporting recent evidence that many energy efficiency programs underperform in real-world settings.

Dynamic linear modeling of monthly electricity demand in Japan: Time variation of electricity conservation effect.

After the severe nuclear disaster in Fukushima, which was triggered by the Great East Japan earthquake in March 2011, nuclear power plants in Japan were temporarily shut down for mandatory inspections. To prevent large-scale blackouts, the Japanese government requested companies and households to reduce electricity consumption in summer and winter. It is reported that the domestic electricity demand had a structural decrease because of the electricity conservation effect (ECE). However, quantitative analysis of the ECE is not sufficient, and especially time variation of the ECE remains unclear. Understanding the ECE is important because Japan’s NDC (nationally determined contribution) assumes the reduction of CO2 emissions through aggressive energy conservation. In this study, we develop a time series model of monthly electricity demand in Japan and estimate time variation of the ECE. Moreover, we evaluate the impact of electricity conservation on CO2 emissions from power plants. The dynamic linear model is used to separate the ECE from the effects of other irrelevant factors (e.g. air temperature, economic production, and electricity price). Our result clearly shows that consumers’ electricity conservation behavior after the earthquake was not temporary but became established as a habit. Between March 2011 and March 2016, the ECE on industrial electricity demand ranged from 3.9% to 5.4%, and the ECE on residential electricity demand ranged from 1.6% to 7.6%. The ECE on the total electricity demand was estimated at 3.2%–6.0%. We found a seasonal pattern that the residential ECE in summer is higher than that in winter. The emissions increase from the shutdown of nuclear power plants was mitigated by electricity conservation. The emissions reduction effect was estimated at 0.82 MtCO2–2.26 MtCO2 (−4.5% on average compared to the zero-ECE case). The time-varying ECE is necessary for predicting Japan’s electricity demand and CO2 emissions after the earthquake.

Potential energy efficiency improvements for the Brazilian iron and steel industry: Fuel and electricity conservation supply curves for integrated steel mills

The iron and steel sector is the second-largest energy consumer and main emitter of greenhouse gases in the Brazilian industry. We present a unique, detailed analysis of the energy performance of a sample of five integrated mills with internal coke production that account for over half of the crude steel produced in Brazil and identify economically viable energy efficiency measures. The analysis indicates that the specific total energy consumption of this sample of mills increased by about 13% between 2004 and 2014 and that the corresponding figure for electricity consumption was 18%. Performance and cost data on best energy practices for iron and steel production processes applicable in Brazilian mills are used to develop fuel and electricity Conservation Supply Curves. The economic potential identified for fuels was 3.02 GJ/t of crude steel, which can be achieved with nine energy efficiency measures, mainly in the iron making, sintering and steel making processes. The findings also indicate that these mills could become net exporters of electricity with an economic potential of 1.51 GJ/t of crude steel if four energy efficiency measures were implemented, particularly in the O2 production and coke making processes.

Energy Consumption and Economic Growth Nexus in Ghana.

The main purpose of this study is to examine the nexus between energy consumption disaggregated into Petroleum and Electricity Consumption and Economic Growth in Ghana in a cointegrated VAR framework. The Johansen test of cointegration indicates that there is no long run relationship between electricity consumption and economic growth. On the other hand, the Johansen test of cointegration indicates that there is a positive long run relationship between petroleum consumption and economic growth. Since there was no existence of long run relationship between electricity consumption and economic growth, the variables were first differenced, and the causality test conducted in a VAR framework. The results of the Granger causality based on the VAR revealed that there is a unidirectional causality from economic growth to electricity consumption in Ghana. The granger causality based on the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) revealed that there is a unidirectional causality running from petroleum consumption to economic growth in both the short and long run. The impulse response function shows that economic growth responds positively to shocks in petroleum consumption whiles electricity consumption responds positively to a shock in economic growth. It is recommended that appropriate electricity conservation measures should be developed and intensified since this will not retard growth in the economy. Also, petroleum consumption seems to be an important principal factor in short run as well as in the long run for the Ghanaian economy, policies should therefore be targeted at making constant and available petroleum products so that the Ghanaian economy can grow positively.

Is it more effective to bring time-of-use pricing into increasing block tariffs? Evidence from evaluation of residential electricity price policy in Anhui province

Abstract Reform of energy prices in China has stepped into a crucial stage. It has become a controversial issue after the reform of increasing block tariffs (IBTs) for household electricity, followed by a time-of-use (TOU) pricing policy. Using ELES model, this paper estimates the price elasticity of residential electricity demand; based on perceived price and price elasticity, a power structure model demand response for nonlinear electricity price is proposed; taking Anhui province as a case, this paper analyzes the attainment situation of such policy objectives as electricity saving, consumer welfare, equity improvement and peak shaving, with the introduction of TOU pricing into IBTs for household electricity. The results show that IBTs helps reduce electricity consumption by 0.74%–0.93%, with minor energy effect；IBTs may lead to a maximum 1.57CNY increase of electricity expense per household per month, which is acceptable for residents. It also may reduce cross-subsidy to some extent. After introducing TOU pricing, the efficiency of peak shaving is only 2.25%–2.78%, and the load decrement at peak periods is far lower than the increase at valley periods; while the effect of electricity conservation and cross-subsidy reduction have been alleviated. In other words, peak-valley price is not only difficult to achieve its own objective effectively, but also prohibits the effect of IBTs. Based on the above conclusions, some policy recommendations are provided to improve the price reform of residential electricity, natural gas and other public resources in various regions of China and foreign regions with similar electricity market.

Exploring the effects of non-cognitive and emotional factors on household electricity saving behavior

Understanding and promoting household electricity saving behavior is vital to reduce electricity consumption and carbon emissions. The main purpose of this research is to analyze the effects of non-cognitive (personal moral norm and habit) and emotional factors (positive anticipated emotion) on household electricity saving behavior using a comprehensive model integrating the theory of planned behavior and the theory of interpersonal behavior. The model is empirically tested using questionnaire survey data collected from 320 households. The results indicate that personal moral norm, habit and positive anticipated emotion are important determinants of residents’ intention to save electricity. Furthermore, it is find that habit is also positively associated with electricity saving behavior. However, positive anticipated emotion is negatively associated with electricity saving behavior, which means that residents who present more positive anticipated emotion about electricity conservation intend to save electricity in their daily lives but actually end up consuming more electricity. In addition, the results also suggest that residents with positive attitude towards saving electricity and greater senses of control have stronger intention to save electricity, while the role of subjective norm is not significant. Based on these results, policy implications for research and practice and suggestions for further research are discussed.

Smart Energy Monitors Technology for Energy Conservation at Ashongman in Accra

This study investigates the use of Smart Energy Monitors (SEMs) technology which has been introduced to help electricity consumers conserve energy and to ensure energy efficiency among residents in Ashongman, a suburb of Accra. Ghana as a developing country has gone through an energy crisis recently. There has been a shortfall of electricity generation capacity where demand has exceeded supply, which resulted in load shedding management. This study seeks to find out the energy conservation habits among Ghanaian residents at Ashongman and also to investigate the use of SEMs for energy conservation. The findings of the study showed 16% of respondents were aware of the benefits of SEMs in electricity conservation whilst 84% did not know. 72.7% of the respondents who were aware of SMEs have used it whilst 27.3% of respondents who aware of SEMs have not used it for energy conservation purposes. The findings also further indicated the challenges respondents face in conserving energy in their homes and the measures that need to be put in place to ensure energy efficiency. On the basis of the findings, it is recommended for the Energy Commission and Electricity Company of Ghana that, there should be effective policy to educate consumers on adapting SEMs technology for energy conservation.

Energy Resource Management Integrating Generation, Load Control and Change in Consumption Habits at the Residential Level

This paper presents the design and development of a scenario where the residential user is involved, with three fundamental elements such as home energy management systems (HEMS), photovoltaic (PV) systems and efficient behavior by means of changes in consumption habits. The objective is to analyze its impact on the household electricity conservation through programs focused on active demand side management (ADSM). The proposed scenario starts from incentives arisen from changes in consumption habits of all the load by 30%, the control of automatic loads and energy self-generation in two different locations in Colombia: Bogota and Cajica. As a result, a monthly reduction of 35.49% is observed in relation to the habitual consumption when the user modifies his habits of using energy in his residence.

How real time pricing modifies Chinese households’ electricity consumption

Abstract Implementing real-time electricity pricing in residential sector is supposed to be an effective measure to balance daily electricity load and promote electricity conservation. However, due to lack of empirical evaluation, evidence about the in-field impacts of real-time electricity pricing is still lacking in China. Based on household survey and agent-based modeling, this study simulates Chinese household's 24-h electricity demand profile, and analyzes how households adjust their electricity use activities under the dynamic real-time pricing scheme. Results show that real-time pricing has the potential to shift residential electricity load from peak to off-peak periods and reduce total electricity consumption. The magnitudes of these two effects hinge on the probability of households' response to electricity price increases. Survey results indicate that such probability varies along the two dimensions of households' characteristics and the type of electricity use activities. To raise the response rates and improve real-time pricing's effects, the following strategies are proposed: 1) introduce and subsidize the purchase of economically feasible domestic electricity storage devices; 2) integrate environmental education modules in the real-time pricing policy design, so as to raise household dwellers' sensitive to the price signals.

Impact of tiered pricing system on China's urban residential electricity consumption: Survey evidences from 14 cities in Guangxi Province

The Chinese government has highlighted the crucial role of energy conservation in its 2014–2020 energy strategy plan, where the residential sector inevitably takes great responsibility. One big move was the implementation of the tiered-electricity pricing (TEP) system, which intends to motivate electricity saving behavior and address cross-subsidization issue. This paper therefore attempts to investigate the effectiveness of the TEP, i.e., whether the TEP has attained its anticipated electricity conservation outcome. The empirical study was carried out in 14 cities in China's Guangxi Province using a survey method. The survey data demonstrated that there were more than half of the respondents (52.8%) affirmed that the TEP had encouraged them to save electricity. Regression results show that the TEP performance was significantly associated with respondents' electricity expenditures and their income levels. Moreover, respondents' electricity-saving attitudes, awareness and literacy were also found to be the critical driving forces to improve the effectiveness of TEP. The key drawn policy implication is that the TEP price magnitudes should be increased further, while the adjustment of the magnitudes should not neglect residents' income levels.

GHG reduction and energy efficiency analyses in a zero-energy solar house archetype

The objective of this study is to validate a zero-energy solar house (ZESH) as a sustainable development tool, based in accounting greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions mitigation. The method considers a multicriterial assessment for electricity conservation, power generation and GHG reduction. The potential and limitations of photovoltaic systems (PVSs) and the electricity consumption of the residential sector are studied. The guidelines and strategies of a ZESH are defined, focusing on the use of the sun in architecture, solar heating and PVSs through a qualitative analysis. These studies are carried out through a zero-energy house model (considering the annual consumption of a residence connected to the grid) that incorporates the guidelines and strategies of a solar house. The bioclimatic strategies and solar systems are analysed considering its application in Sao Paulo. The evaluation of passive strategies for thermal conditioning demonstrates a potential to increase by 70% the hours of comfort in the year. Using more efficient technologies for artificial lighting shows an energy conservation potential of around 12.5%, within the defined parameters and considering the average residential consumption. The use of a solar system to heat water has the potential to save up to 16.3% of energy compared to a business-as-usual scenario (traditional house). The electricity generation by PVSs combined with the adoption of energy efficiency measures demonstrates a potential to achieve, at least, zero net annual energy balance relative to the business-as-usual residential consumption of the grid. Thus, a potential to avoid up to 1.66 t CO2 per year for each housing unit is estimated.

Assessing the combined effect of the diffusion of solar rooftop generation, energy conservation and efficient appliances in households

There is a growing worldwide concern regarding emissions of energy-related greenhouse gases (GHGs). Policy, technology and human awareness provide opportunities for offsetting these effects through energy conservation, efficient appliances and solar generation in households as these have been the subject of increasing attention across the world in recent years. Solar rooftop generation, in particular, could deliver significant efficiency improvements and reductions of CO2 emissions through its diffusion, which also avoids losses in electricity transmission and distribution systems; energy efficiency contributes to the achievement of a sustainable future because it reduces the energy-infrastructure needs, increases competitiveness and improves consumer welfare; conservation would also reduce CO2 emissions in households. The purpose of this paper is to assess the combined effect of the diffusion of solar rooftop generation, energy efficiency and electricity conservation in the residential sector in Colombia. Simulation results for different policy scenarios indicate that rooftop generation, energy efficiency and conservation can together lead, under certain conditions, to important reductions in both electricity prices and emissions.